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George Pirie

George Pirie

M, #2760, b. 24 February 1833, d. 23 November 1857

George Pirie was born on 24 February 1833 at Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland.1 He was the son of James Pirie and Helen Sclater. George Pirie was baptized on 27 February 1833 at Parish of Cullen, Banffshire, Scotland.1 His family was known by the tee-name of "Dod". He was listed as a member of the household in the 1841 census at Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: James Pirrie, 36; Helen Pirrie, 36; James Pirrie, 10; George Pirrie, 8; John Pirrie, 6; Alexander Pirrie,1; Jannet Slatter, 20.2

He was listed as head of household's son in the 1851 census at 40 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: James Pirie, head; Helen Pirie, wife; James Pirie, son; George Pirie, son; John Pirie, son; William Pirie, son; Alexander Pirie, son; Catharine Pirie, daughter; Margret Pirie, daughter.3 He was a fisherman. He married Jean Pirie at Parish of Cullen, Banffshire, Scotland, on 16 December 1854.4,5 George died on 23 November 1857 at sea, off Portsoy, Banffshire, Scotland, at age 24. He perished with the Portknockie fishing boat 'Tenpence' that foundered off Portsoy during a storm. The entire crew were lost. They were James Mair "Shavie" (skipper), William Mair "Shavie", James Mair "Shavie", James Wood "Park", Alexander Wood "Royal", George Wood "Royal", John Sclater "Hassar", James Wood "Post" and George Pirie "Dod".6,5,7,8,9 He was buried after 24 November 1857 at Cullen Old Kirkyard, Old Church Road, Cullen, Banffshire, Scotland.6

[S2112] George Pirie, Statutory Register of Deaths in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Pirie George, Fisherman (Married), died 1857 November Twenty-third at sea. Body found Nov. Twenty-fourth about 8h 45m P.M., Residence Portknockie, Male, 25 years. Father: James Pirie, Fisherman, Mother: Hellen Pirie Maiden Name Slater (Deceased). Cause of death: Drowned in consequence of the upsetting of a boat. Burial Place: Old Churchyard Cullen, as certified by James Eddie, Sexton. Informant: George Pirie, Father-in-law, Occupier: James Cumming, Registrar, Witness. Registered: 1857, Nov. 26th at Portknockie, Jas. Cumming, Registrar."

[S2393] Storm on the East Coast and Great Loss of Life, Caledonian Mercury, "STORM ON THE EAST COAST, AND GREAT LOSS OF LIFE(From our Aberdeen correspondent)On Monday morning, a great number of the fishing boats on the coast north of Banff left their stations to proceed to the Dogger Bank, 30 miles distant, to prosecute the fishing for haddocks. They had scarcely reached the fishing-ground when a heavy storm came on with such suddenness as to leave but little hope of their reaching the shore in safety. Great anxiety was manifested by relatives and others, who crowded the headlands, looking eagerly seaward. Rumours of disaster were rife before night; which alas, were but too fully verified on Tuesday morning. Two boats belonging to Port-Knockie have been lost, with all on board – eighteen men. One Port-Gordon boat came on shore about a mile to the east of Cullen; her crew, nine in number, have perished. A schooner, the Janet and Ann, of Inveresk, came on shore near Whitehills, with not a living soul on board. She has been dashed to pieces on the rocks. The names of the Port-Knockie crews are – George Pirie (skipper), married; James and John Mair, brothers, the former married; William Mair and James Mair, uncles of the former; John Innes, John Mair, John Wood (married); second crew – James Mair (Shavie), (married) and his two sons; W. James, George and Alexander Wood, brothers, the former married; James Wood (Park), George Pirie (married), George Slate (sic) (married), James Wood, Post (married). Two boats belonging to Buckie have also been lost, one of which, with eight men on board, was wrecked at the entrance to the harbour, and immediately in view of the wives and children of the unfortunate men. The other boat, containing seven men, and running for Cromarty, was swamped at sea, and came ashore near Nairn. Her name is The Pink of Buckie. During the gale, 18 boats ran ashore on the sands to the east of Buckie; their crews fortunately were saved, but several of the boats were seriously damaged. One boat, in attempting to take Buckie harbour, was dashed to pieces, but the crew were saved. It is estimated that altogether 42 men have lost their lives, the greater number of whom leave widows and children to lament their loss. The storm was felt all along the north coast."